School communities in both urban and rural settings need trauma-informed (TI) supports; however, the adversities experienced and access to student supports may be unique to rural school communities. In addition, the contextual challenges experienced by rural schools and communities, as well as the strengths that can be drawn from them, will…

Research shows that a child's social and behavioral skills affect the development of cognitive and physical abilities. Set students on a path to success and have fun doing it with this activity-packed second edition of "Wanna Play". The authors provide hundreds of activities that help children learn how to behave appropriately and make friends.…

Presents a scenario using an animal word problem and illustrates how kindergarten classrooms can become rich environments to develop students' mathematical power. Presents student solutions. (MKR)

Thinking Approach to Problem Solving (TAPS) is a decision-making model that will assist students, kindergarten through grade eight, to decide on the choice of operation in routine mathematical word problems. The TAPS algorithm, or plan, suggests that students read a word problem, determine the question to be answered in the problem, use concrete…

The article describes a participant observation study with two kindergarten classes which focused on explaining child behavior in terms of its context. Case studies of three children illustrate alternative interpretations of behavior problems when seen from the point of view of the child or a nonauthoritarian adult "child's aide." (DB)

Reported are studies designed to identify art and art-related experiences that enhance or reinforce cognitive development among kindergarten and first-grade children. These studies focus on conceptual thinking through transfer of image, creating thinking through clayforming, oral language through painting experiences, and letter recognition and…

A practicum intervention was designed and implemented over an 8-month period for the purpose of enhancing the mathematics-related cognitive and social interaction skills of primary school students in five kindergarten one pre-first, and seven first grade classrooms. Students interacted in group discussions and activities involving interest…

This article describes leadership development activities with gifted preschool and kindergarten children enrolled in the University of Redlands (California) summer school program and a local private elementary school. Methods of teaching the skills of social sensitivity, problem solving, and conflict resolution are described, including role…

Two kindergarten boys with behavior problems were given "happy faces" at the beginning of each period, which were removed contingent on inappropriate behavior. Retention of a number of "happy faces" earned a large "happy face," redeemable for privileges at home. Low rates of inappropriate behavior were observed while the system was in effect.…

Some impressions derived through a two-week study visit to the Soviet Union are presented. Background information, kindergartens, curriculum, various types of schools, and mathematics teacher-training are each considered. Finally, mathematics problems from various grade levels are presented. (MNS)

A kindergarten teacher implemented a practicum intervention designed to improve teachers' communication with parents of kindergarten children concerning curriculum and school activities. In particular, the intervention aimed to increase parental involvement in spite of the fact that parents were unable to spend time at the school. A computer and…

Reviews public responses to 18 questions about significant school issues, such as (1) the most important problems facing schools today, (2) support for antidrug measures in local schools, (3) rating the schools on success characteristics, (4) the goals of education, and (5) attitudes about AIDS. (IW)

This document is the Spanish language supplement to "Second Step" for preschool and kindergarten, a violence-prevention curriculum designed to reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior in young children and to increase their social competence. This supplement contains the translated portions of text from "Second Steps" that a…

An integrated lesson for kindergarten that familiarizes students with the phases and the surface of the moon is provided. Activities allow students to draw comparisons between the surface of the moon and the earth. Questions to ask students, directions for the activities, and a list of needed materials are included. (KR)

A five-step model intervention called "Sensational Thinking," which incorporates readiness, reception, reflection, revelation, and re-creation activities, was evaluated with four kindergarten classes. Experimental groups showed increased creativity over control groups in solving paradoxical problems. The study is seen as supporting the premise…